Catch these Game and Parks education events in August

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled interesting and engaging events for the curious in August.

Don’t forget to purchase a vehicle park entry permit to enter the state parks, except one is not required to park in the Schramm Education Center parking lot. Get one at OutdoorNebraska.gov or at state park entrances.

Here are some opportunities:

Two Rivers SRA’s Outdoor Learning program continues

A new education series, Outdoor Learning, continues at Two Rivers State Recreation Area. All events are from 8 a.m.-noon at the pavilion east of the Caboose Park, unless otherwise noted.

Aug. 2 – Owl Awareness Day: Celebrate this occasion as you learn about these nocturnal hunters, dissect owl pellets and more.

Aug. 9 – Aquatic Ecology: Collect, observe and learn about the fascinating creatures that call our lakes home and indicate the health of the environment. Meet at the Lake No. 4 parking lot.

Aug. 16 – Critter Clues: Be a wildlife detective and uncover clues left behind in the wild as you observe tracks, fur, scat and more.

Treehouse Classroom offers Nature Poetry Workshop 

The new Treehouse Classroom is open at Schramm Park State Recreation Area and a fun program for all ages is scheduled.

Nature Poetry Workshop, at 3 p.m. Aug. 4, is a free beginner poetry-writing program led by a naturalist who will guide writers through forms of nature poetry inspired by the park’s beauty.  

Flock to Birds of a Feather on Aug. 5

Get ready to go birding by participating in the new Birds of a Feather program at 9:30 a.m. on select Tuesdays at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s James Family Conservatory and Nature Center.

A birding topic is introduced each session to begin the program, followed by a trip outdoors to the birding area.

On Aug. 5, the topic for the free, bird-related program for all ages will be woodpeckers. Discover which species stay in Nebraska all year and which are occasional visitors.

Schramm hosts Little Saplings on Aug. 6

Adults looking to explore the outdoors with their young children are invited to Little Saplings, a monthly early childhood nature discovery program at Schramm Education Center near Gretna.

The 2025 series, which occurs the first Wednesday of the month, returns Aug. 6 with the theme bird beaks at 9 and 10 a.m. It is designed for children ages 2-5 and their adult caregivers. The cost is $5 per child and $5 per adult.

See the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov for more information.

Mahoney SP to host Nature Journaling program

Get creative this summer at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park by starting a nature journal. At a 3 p.m. nature journaling program Aug. 7 and 14, learn how to observe nature and record what you notice.

Meet in the lobby of the James Family Conservatory and Nature Center. Supplies will be provided. The program will utilize both the indoors and outside.

All ages and abilities are welcome to this free activity.

Explore Nature at Nightfall at Platte River SP

Platte River State Park will host Nature at Nightfall from 6-10:30 p.m. Aug. 8.

This evening celebration of nature is a chance to meet live animals, view the night sky, go on a night hike, observe bat netting science, discover moths, find pond critters and more.

See the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov for more information.

Snakes of Nebraska event returns to Schramm

The Schramm Education Center will host its annual Snakes of Nebraska event from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Aug. 9-10.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln herpetologist Dennis Ferraro and his lab will lead a live snake encounter, set up open-house style in the Schramm Education Center classroom, featuring most of Nebraska’s 29 snake species. Visitors may ask questions and see venomous snakes up close at this free event.

Schramm Education Center admission fees will apply for anyone visiting the Education Center in addition to the event. A state park vehicle permit is not required in the Education Center parking lot.

Email [email protected] with questions or call 402-332-5022.

Wise and Wild is Aug. 12 at James Family Conservatory

Wise and Wild is a program for those age 55 and up who love the outdoors. It is at 3 p.m. on select Tuesdays at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s James Family Conservatory and Nature Center.

On Aug. 12, the topic for this free event will be fly-tying for beginners. Join us to learn more about the art of fly-tying from members of the Cornhusker Fly Fishing group.

Discover ‘Science of’ water snakes

Explore the world of Nebraska’s water snakes, their adaptations for life in aquatic habitats, behaviors and their role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Learn how they thrive in the state’s waterways and debunk misconceptions about them Aug. 14 as the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s popular “Science of” virtual webinar series returns.

In this series, on select Thursdays at 3 p.m. Central time, Game and Parks educators discuss some of the science behind common things regarding nature and animals.

The hourlong webinars are free, but separate registration is required for each. See the calendar event entries at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov for registration links.

Go bullfrogging with BOW program

The Becoming an Outdoors-Woman is offering an opportunity to learn all about bullfrogs at 6 p.m. Aug. 18 at Louisville State Recreation Area.

This hands-on program will include instruction on how to catch them safely and responsibly from a kayak or the bank. Participants will learn tips, techniques and regulations for experts. Later in the evening, caught frogs will be cleaned and cooked for those interested in staying.

A Nebraska fishing permit is required for ages 16 and older who participate in frogging.

Registration is required through the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Perception of coyotes subject of webinar

The Master Naturalist Mondays virtual webinar series continues at 12:30 p.m. Aug. 18 with Perceiving Coyote’s Many Angles.

Join presenter Rob Briwa, an education program specialist with Homestead National Historical Park, who will discuss how cultures over time have perceived the coyote. These perceptions entwine with human decision-making about wildlife management in unexpected ways. 

Nebraska Master Naturalist is a statewide volunteer conservation program. The program recruits, trains, manages, and provides resources for our volunteer naturalist members. This free webinar series hosts a variety of presenters and subject matter. It allows Nebraska Master Naturalist to connect to its conservation motivations and inspirations and its naturalist community across the state.

For more information or to register, visit the calendar event entry at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Email any questions to [email protected].

Homeschool Hikes set for Aug. 20-21 at Schramm

Homeschool families are invited to join an outdoor educator on a guided hike at Schramm Park State Recreation Area near Gretna during the Homeschool Hikes program at 9 a.m. Aug. 20 and 1 p.m. Aug. 21. This month's theme is bumblebee and monarch butterfly surveys.

During the program, participants may ask questions, draw, observe, and make discoveries in nature. They will have the opportunity to observe local phenomena, plants, and animals while exploring concepts such as patterns, cause and effect, and structure and function.

Homeschool Hikes is a monthly nature exploration program hosted by the Schramm Education Center geared toward homeschool families and ages 5 and up.

Participants are encouraged to RSVP in advance through the event listing at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov.